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Tuesday, November 22, 2011

AUTHOR INTERVIEW - TANITH DAVENPORT

Tell us about yourself.

I’m an erotic romance novelist who writes mostly
contemporary fiction but likes to branch out occasionally. My debut novel came
out in eBook and print earlier this year and I am now working on another novel
and several short stories. In my spare time I like to travel, relax in front of
a good horror film or go to rock concerts, the louder the better.

When did you know you wanted to become a writer?

I can't remember not wanting to be one. I've been
writing for years - people I went to school with can probably remember passing
round a school story I wrote at fourteen, although I'd prefer to forget it
myself as it was utterly terrible. I see it as an apprenticeship.

Where and/or how do you find the greatest
inspiration?

Two ways - through music and through dreams. I'll
often take story titles from song titles that I thought suited the story. I
also tend to have very vivid dreams - most will make no sense in the morning,
but I'll often be left with an indelible image and deep emotions from having
"lived" the story, which is a great inspiration to write it down.

What made you chose to write contemporary erotic
literature in particular? And is there any other genre you’d like to write? And
if so, why?

I think it chose me, actually. I originally
pitched my debut novel as women’s fiction, but the erotic angle of the plot and
the heat level made it much better suited to erotica – and I discovered that I
really enjoy writing about sex, so it stuck! Fortunately erotica can cover a
number of genres; I’m working on a paranormal piece at the moment and may well
develop that side of my writing.

Which appears first when contemplating a new
project: A character, the plot and/or the title?

Of those three choices, probably the plot, but to
be honest, it's usually the setting. I'll scribble down something like
"story set backstage at a concert" and come back to it later when I
have a suitable plot for it. I've got lots of those on layaway at the moment.

What’s the hardest part of a novel for you to
write: Beginning, middle and/or end? Why?

I would say the beginning – I always hate
starting a novel cold. Once I get to the middle I’m usually well into the meat
of the storyline and can relax a bit, but for the first few chapters I’m always
wondering if I’m going in the right direction.

Has your own life influenced your novels? And if
so, how?

A lot of my writing stems from fantasies about
alternate lives I could have led, so they tend to be as unrelated to my own
life as I can make them. If anything, it’s the other way round – I often find
that research I do ends up making its way into my life permanently, which is
why a few weeks ago I was in London watching an NFL game when two years ago I’d
never even watched American football on TV.

Writing sex/romantic scenes can be a challenge
for some authors. Do you find it difficult? If yes, how do you compensate? If
no, where do you draw your inspiration?

Yes and no. I have no difficulty “switching off
my inner mother”, but a good sex scene requires careful choreography both in
terms of the physicality and the emotional connections – in erotic romance the
relationship between the characters and how it influences and is influenced by
the scene is very important. Balancing all those elements while still keeping
the scene erotic can get quite complicated. I’ll often leave a blank for a sex
scene and come back to it later so I can write it in sections.

Do you have a method you use to write the sensual
parts? Do you prefer the sex to be open and bold? Or left to the imagination?

There is definitely something to be said for a
closed bedroom door, which allows the imagination to run riot. However, while
I’m not as explicit as some, I like to be fairly open about my sex scenes,
though I’m not averse to a “passionate blur” on occasion. I plan out the
sensual parts very carefully – every scene has a purpose, be it
character-building, relationship-building or a plot point, so while I’m
building the sensuality I have to make sure it’s working towards the ultimate
goal.

Are your characters based on people you know? Or
are they completely fictitious?

I like to keep them as fictitious as possible so
as to avoid being asked “Am I in it?” Past experience has shown me that
agreeing to put a friend in a book is never a good idea – and having people you
know try to guess if a character is based on them, especially in an erotic
novel, is never fun.

Who is your favourite character, which you’ve
created? And why?

At the moment it would be Ash from The Hand He
Dealt. He was hell to write at times because he was a very physical
character and not given to expressing his emotions, but it was great fun
developing his vulnerable side.

Tell us about your newest release.

Astra Scott likes to
live life to the full. A sorority girl and Gaming Management student, she
spends her days studying and practising guitar, and her nights partying or
working at the Fountain Casino, where she has an internship as part of her
final semester. The only blot on her landscape is Ash Drake, her best friend
Sasha’s boyfriend. Arrogant, physical and blond, Ash has never forgiven Astra
for her rejection months earlier and enjoys annoying her at every turn.

But when Astra’s
boyfriend Harry reveals a shocking secret, Astra responds in the only way she
can think of: by finding a way to take on a more attractive, masculine role in
the relationship. Her experimentation with sex toys finds a surprising outlet
in Sasha, but when Ash discovers their secret and wants to get involved, Astra finds
herself torn between dislike and desire… and as their undercover relationship
grows, Astra finds herself falling in love, a path she feels can only end in
heartbreak. For Ash may be the only man whose own fantasies are a match for
hers, but can she knowingly steal his affections from her best friend?

Excerpt:

Two hours
later, and Astra stood in front of her bedroom mirror, holding in one hand the
toy she had bought from Amy’s Delights.

Rubber
underwear was laced through her fingers, a small plastic remote control
dangling below on the end of a long cord. And attached to the front—

Well.

It was a
strap-on.

It was a
strap-on dildo.

And it was purple.

A purple
length of shiny plastic. A perfect simulacrum of a veined, circumcised penis,
five inches long and of a thickness Astra considered average, just the right
width to wrap a hand around.

She stared
at her reflection for a long time, contemplating the dildo, before slowly
drawing it back towards her body, holding it against her stomach.

No.

One foot
through the straps, two feet…rubber caught against denim-clad legs, but after a
moment’s struggle the strap-on dildo was in place, and Astra’s image stood in
front of her, the purple dick jutting out in front like the hilt of a sword.

Slowly she
rotated her hips, watching the dildo glide from side to side, before stopping
abruptly with a giggle.

Shit. It
looks like a fucking light sabre.

Watching
herself in the mirror, she closed one hand around its length, giving it a
tentative stroke.

Nothing.
Unsurprisingly.

She tried
it again, this time holding the remote control and flicking the switch. A
sudden buzzing, accompanied by a muted vibration through her jeans, made her
jolt sharply.

Interesting.

Flipping
the switch again, she rocked her hips slowly, her eyes glazing. In her mind
formed a picture of Harry’s smooth back and bare buttocks, thighs parting to
receive her, Harry’s voice gasping, begging for more, more, please, more…

A great hero, but only just. I like my heroes
flawed so they don’t become irritating.

What is your favourite movie? And why?

“Heavenly Creatures”. Aside from the fact that it
is beautifully filmed and beautifully acted, it’s the one film I’ve seen which
continues to draw a strong reaction from everyone who watches it. They either
love it or hate it, and I think the sign of a truly great film is that it makes
you feel.

If you could be anyone in the world who would it
be? And why?

Ooh, tough one! I don’t think I’d be anyone
specific – I quite like being me – but I’d quite enjoy switching places with a
lottery winner. I would love to be able to stay home and write full-time.

Where do you see your writing career in the next
five to ten years?

Hopefully still active! At the moment I’m too new
to this to have any idea of how things will develop, but I hope to be still
writing and publishing erotic romance and having plenty of fun with it.

Thanks so much for stopping by, Tanith! It was great to have you @ BRB. I wish you the very best. Blak Rayne ^_^!!

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ABOUT ME

Blak Rayne is a best selling author of gay romance. She loves to write and believes it's one of the greatest forms of self-expression. What better way to see inside the human soul? Blak resides in Canada, and yes, she is a woman, wife and mother. She’s been writing and drawing since elementary school, and she loves anything that involves the arts. As for family, her daughter is her toughest critic and greatest support!

I post a variety of content such as articles linked to my blog. I will also share images, jokes, or information; whatever inspires me. 99.99 percent of the content is intended for adult viewing. Enough said!